At that moment, Kurozumi Orochi looked utterly bedraggled, yet even while facing Ace and Luffy, who had him suppressed, he showed no sign of panic.
In a situation like this, one was either arrogantly overconfident or had the confidence to deal with it.
Clearly, someone who had risen from such a lowly position would retain the necessary caution deep down, no matter how arrogant he acted.
As his words fell, the wounds covering Yamata no Orochi's body began visibly healing at an alarming rate.
"HAHAHA!! Surprised!?"
"Good!!"
"I'm immortal!!"
A shrill laugh echoed throughout the space. In the next instant, the grotesque snake maws opened wide and surged toward the two of them to devour them.
"Flame Eruption Net!"
Ace's arm ignited, and a massive wall of fire sprang up between both sides. Yet the enormous eight-headed beast paid it no heed, charging straight through the curtain of flames.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The eight heads shot forth like cannonballs, biting at Ace with savage bestial fury. The dense barrage forced Ace back again and again.
"Luffy, focus fire on one of its heads first!!" Ace shouted at Luffy as he dodged, remaining perfectly calm.
"Got it!!"
In the next instant, Luffy launched himself into the sky with his legs, then positioned himself before Yamata no Orochi. Both his arms split into three, and his six fists compressed continuously atop arms as thick as cannon barrels.
"Gomu Gomu no Saru Kingu Gun!!"
A storm of dense fist shadows blanketed one of Yamata no Orochi's heads in the next instant. The tremendous force smashed into the snake's head, sending blood spraying everywhere.
Under the relentless assault, the bones within that head and body began to shatter. A massive depression gradually formed beneath Luffy's unceasing blows, until it looked as though